Being called a government goalkeeper by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is a "compliment", an amused Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia said today.

"Well, I take it as a compliment, because he was my former boss," Pandikar said, a light smile on his face.

He immediately followed this by asking: "Which side is Mahathir on now?

"He is with the opposition, he wants to topple the government.

"I am not (taking sides). I want to protect the integrity of Parliament," Pandikar told a press conference in the House reception room today.

He added that he was not concerned about Mahathir's remarks, saying that it was the latter's personal opinion.

Mahathir yesterday called Pandikar the "government's goalkeeper", accusing the speaker of blocking motions and debates against the government.

The remarks came after Pandikar ruled that oral questions regarding the US Department of Justice's 1MDB-linked lawsuits need not be answered due to sub judice.

This ruling has been panned, with critics including former federal court judge Gopal Sri Ram.

The speaker however said all those non-MPs who have criticised his rulings, did not understand what was going on in the House.

Instead, he said they were only reacting to news reports, and were only doing so for political mileage.

"Mahathir has a political agenda... former judges, former attorneys-general, former legal advisors, they are all not defending the integrity of Parliament," Pandikar said.